The concise critics

Great Expectations

What’s it about?
A humble orphan suddenly becomes a gentleman with the help of an unknown benefactor.

What did we think?
Cindy says: I headed into the cinema with great expectations, and thankfully I was rewarded – this is a good one. Director Mike Newell takes us back to a sumptuous Dickensian time ripe with dirt and excess. The film unfolds beautifully with each chapter of the story furnished with charming costuming and detailed art direction. Special mention goes to Miss Havisham’s delightfully decaying wedding banquet.

I was taken in by everything and everyone. Everyone except the delightfully pretty Jeremy Irvine. In the pivotal lead role of Pip he is out-acted by everything and everyone in the film. Expectations almost met. Almost.